If you look up 肯定 (kěndìng), 确定 (quèdìng) and 一定 (yīdìng) in the
dictionary, they all have similar meanings, like "certain" or
"surely." However, using them correctly in a sentence is a bit more
complicated.
Overview 概述
So how are these three words words different? We can answer this
question from two points of view:
1. From a "parts of speech" point of view:
- 肯定 can be a verb, an adjective and an adverb.
- 确定 can be a verb or an adjective.
- 一定 can be an adjective or an adverb.
2. From a "significance or meaning" point of view:
- 肯定 often has a subjective, energetic feel to it。 It carries
meanings like 认可 (approval), 同意 (agreement), and 保证
(guarantee).
- 确定 carries a feeling of objectively describing a situation. It
carries the meaning of 决定 (to decide, to resolve).
- 一定 as an adjective has really broad uses, so you need to pay
attention to the specific times it's used in. As an adverb, it is
often used to give a reinforcing tone.
- 肯定 and 确定 can both be verbs, but their use and meanings are
different. 一定 cannot be used as a verb.
"肯定" and "确定" as a Verb
Structure with 肯定
肯定 can express that something is satisfactory (对…满意), often used
when a superior evaluates subordinates. When used this way, it
should be followed directly by a noun or a phrase that is acting as
a noun (noun phrase).
I can also be used to express "I am sure." When used this way it
is usually a clause at the end of a sentence.
Subj. + (敢)肯定 + Sentences
Examples with 肯定
- 老板 肯定 了 我们 团队 的 工作。The boss
approved our team's work.
- 如果 想 让 别人 肯定 你，你 就 要 好好 做。If you
want to make other people like you, you have to do good
work.
- 我 敢 肯定 这 就 是 他 的 声音。I'm sure that
this is his voice.
Structure with 确定
You can also add a verb phrase a preposition phrase after 确定,
which makes it mean that that something is already set, often used
in describing a progressing condition.
Examples with 确定
- 我们 还 没有 确定 什么 时候 开始。We still
haven't decided when to start.
- 已经 确定了 三 个 人，还 差 一 个。Three people
have already been decided, one more is needed.
- 你 确定 他 是 我们 要 找 的 人 吗？Have you
decided if he's the person we'll look for?
Examples of right or
wrong sentences
- 我们 要 先 肯定 一 个 形式 才 能 开始 做。In this
sentence, "肯定" needs to be followed by a noun or a noun
phrase.
- 我们 要 先 确定 一 个 形式 才 能 开始 做。We'll
have to decide on a design before we can start working.
- 老板 肯定 了 最近 我 工作 很 努力。In this
sentence, "肯定" needs to be followed by a noun or noun
phrase.
- 老板 肯定 了 最近 我 的 努力 工作。By changing
the word order, we get a noun phrase instead of a verb
phrase.The boss approved my recent hard
work.
"肯定" "一定" as an Adverb
肯定 and 一定 can both be adverbs, and the grammar structure for
both are similar. 肯定 emphasized more of a subjective judgement or
promise. 一定 sometimes carries an air of forcing something or
issuing a command.
Structure with 肯定
Examples with 肯定
- 他 肯定 还 没 起床，因为 他 的 手机 现在 还 没 开 机。He definitely hasn't gotten out of bed yet， because his
phone is still off.
- 这 次 我 肯定 不 骗 你，骗 你 是 小 狗，好 吧？The
idiom "骗你是小狗" literally means "To deceive you is to be a small
dog." It doesn't have a good English equivalent.I'm not lying this time. Cross my heart.
Structure with 一定
Examples with 一定
- 明天 你们 一定 要 来。You guys are
definitely going to come tomorrow.
- 一定 要 小心。You've definitely got to
be careful.
Right or Wrong
- 你们 肯定 要 去 听 我 的 演唱会。Since it's a
command, "肯定" is not appropriate.
- 你们 一定 要 去 听 我 的 演唱会。You guys have
to go listen to my music recital.
"肯定" "确定" "一定" as as
Adjectives
All three of these can be placed before a noun as adjectives.
But in this grammar structure, 肯定 and 确定 use their verb meanings,
and 一定 as an adjective means "something particular
Structures
Examples
- 如果 你 问 我 是不是 知道 这 件 事情，我 的 回答 是 肯定 的。If you ask me if I know about this, my answer will be
sure.
- 请 给 我 一 个 确定 的 回答，不 要 总是 这么 模糊。Please give me a definite response. Don't always be so
vague.
- 我们 之间 要 保持 一定 距离。We need to keep a
certain distance between us.
- 这 件 事 和 他 有 一定 的 关系，不 能 都 怪 你。He
has a certain connection with this, it can't completely surprise
you.
See Also
Sources and further
reading
Books
Dictionaries
Category:grammar comparison